Refugees face five-year wait for citizenship as income thresholds rise sharply for workers
The government has announced sweeping changes to citizenship and family reunification rules for non-European Economic Area workers and international protection applicants in Ireland, drawing sharp criticism from migrant rights advocates who say the restrictions have gone too far.
Under the new regulations, people with refugee and international protection status will have to wait five years to become eligible for citizenship, up from three years previously. Income and residence requirements have also been imposed for bringing family members to Ireland.
The waiting period for workers and work permit holders to apply to bring family members has been reduced from two years to one year. Family members will receive permits allowing them to live and work more freely, with children aged 16-18 permitted to work upon arrival. However, those aged 19-23 will no longer be considered children for family reunification purposes. Changes relating to children’s right to work will take effect immediately, while other provisions will be implemented in the coming months.
Critical Skills Permit holders with higher-level qualifications, such as engineers, computer programmers and doctors, will be able to bring family members immediately. General Employment Permit holders, including healthcare assistants, meat factory workers and agricultural workers, will continue to face minimum income requirements.
The income requirement of €30,000 to bring a partner to Ireland remains unchanged, with officials noting that almost all GEP holders now meet this threshold. However, the income requirement for bringing each child will be linked to Department of Social Protection support levels. From January, GEP holders will need a gross annual income of €50,000 to bring a child to Ireland, an increase of approximately €7,000.
The income requirement for dependent adults, such as elderly parents or adult children, will rise to €92,789. The Department of Justice says formal procedures will ensure applicants have suitable accommodation and pay necessary application fees.
Neil Bruton of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland called the new policy “shocking,” saying it is more restrictive than previous rules. “This law will continue to keep people who do essential work, care for the vulnerable, prepare food and work in the fields away from their loved ones. This is not justifiable. This needs to be reviewed,” Bruton said.
Professor Ciara Smith of the University of Galway described restrictions on those arriving through the international protection system as counterproductive.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan defended the changes as a step toward ensuring the immigration system is fair and legal. He noted that 23,000 people came to Ireland under the family reunification scheme last year, adding that it is a legal requirement to ensure non-EEA family members do not require government funding.
The department said it has commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute to conduct research into the economic and social impact of migration. The government maintains the reforms align Ireland with other EU countries’ immigration policies, though critics argue the restrictions will harm essential workers who contribute significantly to Irish society while being separated from their families.